Fundamentals of Solar Cells and Photovoltaic Systems Engineering
- 1st Edition - June 8, 2024
- Editor: Marta Victoria
- Language: English
- Paperback ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 3 2 3 - 9 6 1 0 5 - 9
- eBook ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 3 2 3 - 9 9 6 7 6 - 1
**2025 Textbook and Academic Authors Association (TAA) Most Promising New Textbook Award Winner**Fundamentals of Solar Cells and Photovoltaic Systems Engineering presents all the… Read more
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Fundamentals of Solar Cells and Photovoltaic Systems Engineering presents all the major topics relevant to understanding photovoltaic technology, including the working principles of solar cells, modeling and measuring solar radiation, manufacturing processes for solar cells and photovoltaic modules, the design and operation of rooftop installations and large-scale power plants, the economics of such systems, and the role of photovoltaic solar energy in the ongoing energy transition. This book is intended for use as a textbook on photovoltaic solar energy for upper-level undergraduate/graduate engineering students.
- Consists of 15 chapters, including basic theory, along with problems to solve and a solutions manual
- Provides a basic understanding of topics such as semiconductor fundamentals, the pn junction, and the working principle of solar cells for students without previous experience
- Covers the design and operation principles of rooftop installations and large-scale solar power plants
- Presents the IV curve and efficiency attained by solar cells, photovoltaic modules, and systems, how they are impacted by solar radiation and temperature, and how they can be measured
Upper level undergraduate and first year graduate students primarily in mechanical and electrical engineering programs – US enrollment is 2,000 students per year (source: Navstem) with average course enrollment of 25 students
- Cover image
- Title page
- Table of Contents
- Copyright
- List of Authors
- Acknowledgements
- Preface
- List of Symbols
- List of Acronyms
- List of Physical Constants
- Chapter 1. Introduction to Photovoltaic Solar Energy
- Abstract
- Chapter Outline
- 1.1 Why study photovoltaic solar energy?
- 1.2 Converting solar radiation
- 1.3 Energy produced by a photovoltaic system
- 1.4 Photovoltaic solar cells and systems
- 1.5 Energy payback time and energy return on investment
- 1.6 Photovoltaic disruption in the energy system
- 1.7 Environmental impacts of solar PV
- 1.8 Structure of this book
- Suggested readings
- Problems
- Chapter 2. Solar Radiation
- Abstract
- Chapter Outline
- 2.1 Physical model of solar radiation
- 2.2 Extraterrestrial solar radiation
- 2.3 On-the-ground solar radiation
- 2.4 Solar geometry
- 2.5 Radiation on the horizontal ground
- 2.6 Radiation on a tilted plane
- 2.7 Radiation on a tracking plane
- 2.8 Data sources for solar radiation
- 2.9 Modeling of solar radiation
- Suggested readings
- Problems
- Chapter 3. Working Principles of a Solar Cell
- Abstract
- Chapter Outline
- 3.1 How does a solar cell work?
- 3.2 Semiconductor fundamentals
- 3.3 Carrier transport in semiconductors
- 3.4 The pn junction
- 3.5 Analysis of the quantum efficiency
- Suggested readings
- Problems
- chapter 4. Electrical Characteristics of Solar Cells
- Abstract
- Chapter Outline
- 4.1 General solar cell equation and I-V curve
- 4.2 Equivalent one-diode circuit model of a solar cell
- 4.3 Series and parallel resistances of solar cells: effect on the I-V curve
- 4.4 Temperature effects
- 4.5 Effect of irradiance
- 4.6 I-V curve for high reverse bias voltages
- Suggested readings
- Problems
- chapter 5. Silicon Solar Cell Fabrication Technology
- Abstract
- Chapter Outline
- 5.1 Silicon wafer fabrication
- 5.2 From wafer to solar cell: the standard Al-BSF design
- 5.3 Silicon solar cells of today
- Suggested readings
- Problems
- chapter 6. Alternative Solar-Cell Technologies
- Abstract
- Chapter Outline
- 6.1 Introduction to alternative solar-cell technologies
- 6.2 III-V and multijunction solar cells
- 6.3 Thin-film solar cells
- 6.4 Solar-cell technologies under development
- 6.5 Silicon-tandem solar cells
- Suggested readings
- Problems
- Chapter 7. Photovoltaic Modules
- Abstract
- Chapter Outline
- 7.1 Introduction
- 7.2 Electrical characteristics of a PV module
- 7.3 PV module design
- 7.5 Module recycling
- List of relevant standards for PV modules
- Suggested readings
- Problems
- chapter 8. Power Converters and Batteries for PV Applications
- Abstract
- Chapter Outline
- 8.1 The need for power conversion
- 8.2 Components of power converters
- 8.3 DC/DC converters
- 8.4 Maximum power point trackers
- 8.5 Inverters
- 8.6 Efficiency of power converters
- 8.7 Batteries
- Suggested readings
- Problems
- chapter 9. Design and Operation of Distributed PV Systems
- Abstract
- Chapter Outline
- 9.1 Overview of distributed PV systems
- 9.2 Power models of PV system components
- 9.3 Relevant metrics
- 9.4 Grid-connected PV systems
- 9.5 Stand-alone PV systems
- 9.6 Water pumping systems
- Suggested readings
- Problems
- Chapter 10. Design and Operation of Utility-Scale PV Power Plants
- Abstract
- Chapter Outline
- 10.1 Scale and main elements of PV power plants
- 10.2 Overview of life cycle in utility-scale PV power plants
- 10.3 Design of PV power plants
- 10.4 Construction of utility-scale PV power plants
- 10.5 Operation of PV plants
- Suggested readings
- List of relevant standards for utility-scale PV power plants
- Problems
- chapter 11. Integrated Photovoltaics
- Abstract
- Chapter Outline
- 11.1 Photovoltaic integration and design aspects
- 11.2 Product-integrated photovoltaics
- 11.3 Building-integrated photovoltaics
- 11.4 Vehicle-integrated photovoltaics
- 11.5 Agrivoltaics
- 11.6 Floating photovoltaics
- 11.7 Dual use of infrastructure
- Suggested readings
- Problems
- Chapter 12. Measuring Solar Cells, PV Modules, and Power Plants
- Abstract
- Chapter Outline
- 12.1 The need to measure solar cells, PV modules, and systems
- 12.2 Solar radiation measurement
- 12.3 Cell measurement
- 12.4 PV module measurement
- 12.5 System measurement
- Suggested readings
- Problems
- Chapter 13. Economics of Photovoltaic Solar Energy
- Abstract
- Chapter Outline
- 13.1 Cost of PV modules and learning rate
- 13.2 Cost components in PV installations
- 13.3 Fundamental economic parameters
- 13.4 Regulatory frameworks
- 13.5 Economic analysis of an off-grid solar PV system
- 13.6 Economic analysis of a grid-connected small installation
- 13.7 Economic analysis of a PV power plant
- Suggested readings
- Problems
- Chapter 14. Large Penetration of Solar and Wind in the Energy System
- Abstract
- Chapter Outline
- 14.1 Future energy systems with high solar and wind penetration
- 14.2 Interannual, seasonal, daily, and subsecond challenges
- 14.3 Macro-energy systems modeling
- 14.4 Beyond the power system: Using solar PV to reduce emissions in other energy sectors
- Suggested readings
- Problems
- Chapter 15. Solar PV for Space Applications
- Abstract
- Chapter Outline
- 15.1 The need for PV in space applications and historical background
- 15.2 The space environment
- 15.3 Figures of merit for space PV systems
- 15.4 Space solar cells and arrays
- Suggested readings
- Problems
- Index
- No. of pages: 560
- Language: English
- Edition: 1
- Published: June 8, 2024
- Imprint: Academic Press
- Paperback ISBN: 9780323961059
- eBook ISBN: 9780323996761
MV
Marta Victoria
Dr. Marta Victoria has a BSc and MSc in Aerospace Engineering and a PhD in Photovoltaic Solar Energy from the Technical University of Madrid, Spain. She works as an Associate Professor at Aarhus University, Denmark, where she teaches courses in Photovoltaic Solar Energy and Macro-Energy System Modeling. Her current research interests include the modeling of large-scale energy systems with high renewable penetration and the analysis of how to integrate large amounts of solar PV electricity into the grid. She also investigates novel PV system designs including agrivolatics and energy communities based on shared rooftop PV installations.
Affiliations and expertise
Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering, Aarhus University, DenmarkRead Fundamentals of Solar Cells and Photovoltaic Systems Engineering on ScienceDirect